Vehicle Description
1927 Lincoln Model L Limousine
A Lincoln limousine befit a stately man of wealth and good bearing,
which described Robert H. McElroy, a partner and vice-president in
John D. Rockefeller's immensely profitable Standard Oil Company.
McElroy's Model L seven-passenger Berline, a factory-bodied example
of what he took delivery in 1927, came equipped with all the
luxuries of a good life. At the time of its purchase it was the
most expensive car that could be had on the market, selling for the
princely sum of $5,950.00 in 1927, a full $400 more than the most
expensive Rolls Royce.
For consignment a piece of history, some wonderful little known fun
facts, and even a role on a hit HBO series Boardwalk Empire for
this consignment. Used by Mr. Robert H. McElroy an executive in
Standard Oil Company to make his way around Chicago from its
purchase date in 1927, until 1938 and his passing. Mr. McElroy was
coincidentally married to John D Rockefeller's daughter Edith, with
whom he would eventually divorce. After his passing, the car went
onto storage, put up on blocks for 23 years.
Exterior
After those 23 years, in November of 1961 a gentleman and noted
Lincoln restorer Ken Pearson from Detroit acquired the car. He set
about a complete dismantling, and fully restored it back to its
original factory correct condition. This took him 2 years to do so,
and it still retains the paint from that restoration which still is
retaining its shine. All straight rust-free panels showing well
minded gaps are throughout and all bathed in dark green. Opening
and closing the doors are like bank vaults nice and tight with a
solid thud. From its pristine front bumper to the overly large
headlamps which flank a beautiful chromed radiator surround topped
with an original greyhound hood ornament (we know this because this
male canine ornament has all his anatomy per se, as opposed to
reproductions which are gelded.) A long long cowled hood runs back
to the passenger compartment complete with a visored windshield, a
searchlight and all the necessary exterior hardware which still
presents as new. Some hand painted pinstriping shows up on the
sides, and also winds its way around the entire passenger area on
the exterior. Black painted running boards with steel boards add
some contrast to the green body parts. On back dual spare tires
which lock on to prevent theft are flanked by a shiny split dual
bar rear bumper. A note to the paint it indeed does show some age
with some discoloration and marks throughout, it is noted that from
the cowl forward was recently repainted, but overall shiny. 21-inch
wood spoked wheels are on all 4 corners.
Interior
In 1962 Upon completion of the restoration by Mr. Pearson it went
on to win the AACA Senior first prize proving the worth of the work
he put into it. Over the next few years it was well maintained,
seldom driven and basically stored for another 30 years upon which
time HBO came calling....With a car like this it has some most
unusual but even possibly necessary appointments that were on no
other cars of its time. From the front stainless steel dash with
its perfect gauges to the black leather wrapped bench seat and door
panels, to the original wood steering wheel the Chauffeur's
compartment offers up a cigar lighter, which is in extra-long form.
This could be passed back to the occupants through the dividing
glass. All windows have roller shades with silk rope pulls, and
even a shade for the divider glass which is the ONLY car to have
this option. Requested by My McElroy to offer up some privacy
during his "drives" around Chicago which may or may not have
included some guests of the female persuasion who were not
necessarily related to Mr. McElroy! In back a beautiful gray
broadcloth buttoned and tufted rear seating to include a large main
rear bench with armrests, and dual jump seats which neatly fold
away for extra rear legroom when not in use. A "lollipop" intercom
system is attached so communication can occur between passengers
and chauffeur. Also, on either door is a brass box, for the
passenger side a cigarette lighter and ash receptacle, and other
side a box for notes and a makeup kit and mirror, all there and
original to this car. I mentioned that HBO came calling with an
opportunity for this car to be used in the period series Boardwalk
Empire. It was used by a particular character named Valentin
Narcisse, a fictional character portrayed by Jeffrey Wright. He is
a prominent and highly educated underworld figure based out of
Harlem, New York and a black nationalist orator, active in Marcus
Garvey's Universal Negro Improvement Association. Now the star of
stage and screen!
Drivetrain
After the series completion, it went up for auction again and was
purchased by our consigner who immediately set about converting the
updraft carburetors which were leaky and even engineered with a pan
underneath to catch the leakage and not catch on fire, but alas it
did, so our consigner converted the carburetor to an AACA approved
Holley downdraft version...now no chance of fire! Under the hood is
a perfectly restored and recently well worked over along with the
carb conversion a 5.9 liter flathead V8 which is original to this
car. It is a 2-barrel Holley carburetor and has a 3-speed manual
transmission on back, also original to this car. All looking very
nice under the hood. And if there is a problem, an emergency
toolkit, original to this car and very rarely even known about, let
alone still within the car, a 36 piece toolkit, located underneath
the drivers bench, and it locks with a key.
Undercarriage
Due to the restorer in 1961, and our current consignor's meticulous
attention to detail and preventative maintenance, the undercarriage
shows some chipping and scratching of the paint, but is a no rust
environment. Leaf spring suspension for all 4 corners and
mechanical drum brakes are working well. Noted is a built-in air
compressor in case a tire goes a bit down in the air department.
Hanging on the rear of the car is the fuel tank which contains the
main supply tank and a 2 gallon reserve tank within. This can be
switched from main to reserve when the main supply of fuel is
exhausted by flipping a switch on the top of the tank.
Drive-Ability
This car came right to life upon a turn of the key and drove very
nicely. I was able to sample some of the luxury associated with
this car from the rear and ordered my chauffeur to drive me to the
nearest McDonalds drive through to aid in the creation of the
quintessential oxymoron. The lollipop worked swimmingly!
Recently fully serviced, it is accompanied by an archival
collection that can only be described as unprecedented, including
thorough documentation of the car's history and restoration,
correspondence with Standard Oil regarding Mr. McElroy,
hand-written maps recording journeys taken in the Lincoln, records
of the shows it attended, and the trophies with which it returned
home. This is an utterly fascinating car, owned since new by
fascinating people who loved it.
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 600 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia
on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is
www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914.
Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the
vehicle in person.